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–+ servings
a white bowl filled with candied pecans.
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Quick Candied Pecans Recipe

Quick Candied Pecans Recipe is ready in 6 minutes on the stovetop and makes an excellent Christmas or hostess gift. It is perfect for salads, popcorn, yogurt, ice cream, and more! They are chewy, crisp, salty, not-too-sweet, and highly addictive!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword candied pecans, candied pecans on stovetop, easy candied pecans, stovetop candied pecans
Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 9 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 186kcal
Author Maria Doss

Ingredients

  • 1 cup toasted pecans
  • ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon light or golden brown sugar both packed
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • ½ tablespoon unsalted butter
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt plus more for topping
  • ½ tablespoon white granulated sugar
  • ¼ to ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon optional

Instructions

  • Place a piece of parchment on a sheet pan or a large plate.
  • Add pecans, brown sugar, water, butter and ⅛ teaspoon salt in a medium (9 to 10 inches) non-stick skillet.
  • Place skillet over high heat and cook, stirring occasionally for 3 to 4 minutes or until most of the water evaporates.
  • Continue cooking, stirring constantly for additional 1 to 2 minutes, until all the moisture has evaporated and the pecans gets darker in color with a glossy appearance and begin clumping together.
  • Immediately transfer nuts, scraping any remaining caramel from the pan, on the prepared parchment.
  • Using a spoon, spread the nuts in a single layer, ensuring they are separated. Sprinkle some salt on top and allow them to cool completely.
    If using for salads or savory recipes, use the pecans at this point and skip the next step.
  • Break the nuts apart with your fingers. Sprinkle sugar or cinnamon sugar on top and toss them to coat.
    To make cinnamon sugar, stir together the white sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl.

Video

Notes

Use a nonstick pan. It comes handy when working with sticky caramel.
Use toasted pecans as they won't have sufficient time to toast adequately within the short 6-minute cooking span on the stove.
Like to make a bigger batch? Double the recipe and cook in a large skillet.
Use coconut oil isntead of butter to make it vegan.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 Serving | Calories: 186kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 74mg | Potassium: 98mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 92IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg